High School Marine Science Symposium Resources Page
The Massachusetts Marine Educators (MME) have been hosting these events since 1984, and the Northeastern University Marine Science Center has been co-hosting since 2013. These events attract hundreds of high schoolers and their teachers to come together and learn about research and practice around marine science topics and issues. This conference-style event features a keynote speaker, an ocean science demonstration fair, and hands-on workshops led by scientists, policymakers, graduate students, and others engaged in marine-related careers.
See Yourself in STEM, A Panel Discussion
Northeastern University's Marine Science Center and Massachusetts Marine Educators presents See Yourself in STEM, a panel discussion featuring Mark Losavio, Allison Noble, and Sarit Truskey moderated by Dr. Torrance Hanley. This discussion was held as a featured event of the 2021 High School Marine Science Symposium hosted by the MSC and MME.
Fish Forensics with the Ocean Genome Legacy Center
Species identification is an important skill for many researchers and scientists. This is particularly true for people who work with fishes, as accurate identification is critical for grocery stores, restaurants, and consumers and can have important impacts on fisheries management and conservation biology. In this asynchronous activity from the Ocean Genome Legacy Center, students will learn about two different methods that researchers can use to identify a fish. First, they will learn about dichotomous keys and use one to identify a mystery fish using its morphological features. Second, they will identify the same fish using a simulated DNA barcoding exercise. By using two different methods to identify their fish, students will be able to determine if they successfully identified the fish and explore when each identification method is useful.
This activity is approximately 1 hour/1 class period and is a mix of videos and student worksheets.
Tiny Sea: An Online Aquaculture Experience
Love growing and taking care of critters? Level up and take a dive into the world of TinySea where you will create and maintain your very own sustainable aquaculture farm! This activity features an introduction to aquaculture from Dr. Allison Matzelle where she emphasizes the importance of aquaculture and how when done sustainably can be a huge asset in tackling the task of feeding the planet. Students will navigate and understand the complexities and excitement of aquaculture while playing the game in freeplay mode.
The activity includes a 20 minute introductory video, an online game (recommended 30 mins to play) and a short post-game survey.
Seagrass Explorer: A Virtual Aquarium
Interested in exploring one of the most beautiful coastal habitats, but not up for a mid-winter snorkel? This activity gives students the chance to learn about seagrasses in a virtual aquarium designed and created by Northeastern University student Gwendolyn McManus with Dr. Randall Hughes and Dr. Torrance Hanley. The interactive exhibits feature display tanks and signs to teach students all about seagrass, including what seagrass species from around the world look like, the characteristics of the many animal species that inhabit local seagrass beds, the diverse scientists studying seagrasses, and how to conserve and restore seagrass beds. This asynchronous activity includes a short introductory video featuring the game’s designers followed by a pre-game survey, 20-30 minutes to play the game, and a post-game survey. The surveys are brief (< 10 min total) and optional, but highly encouraged in order to assess students’ learning, interest, motivation, and impressions before and after playing Seagrass Explorer.
This activity takes approximately one hour and is a blend of videos, online games and surveys.
Follow Up Resources For OPAK’s Create Your Own MPA Lesson
Case Study: Cabo Pulmo
Case Study: Cashes Ledge
Webinar: Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument
Dr. Kelly Kryc joined OPAK for an update on the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts National Marine Monument. She stressed the importance of a resilient ocean, the creation of more marine protected areas and then showcased the biodiversity of the NE Canyons and Seamounts National Marine Monument. She also left everyone with some easy steps that we can all take to help protect our blue planet! Dr. Kelly Kryc is the Director of Conservation Policy and Leadership at the Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life at the New England Aquarium where she is focused on transforming science into action that protects the blue planet.
Whale Walk to Environmental Education, Presented by Center for Coastal Studies' Jesse Mechling
Join Jesse Mechling for a introduction to what it means to be an environmental educator while he is out in the field conducting a whale walk on Cape Cod. Jesse is the Marine Education Director at the Center for Coastal Studies, a non-profit research, rescue and education organization in Provincetown. He has a passion for all things ocean and has over fifteen years experience working in marine policy and education. This talk was presented live (virtually) on March 17, 2021 as part of the Annual High School Marine Science Symposium co-hosted by the Massachusetts Marine Educator (MME) and the Northeastern University Marine Science Center (MSC).